Austin Mahone's California Love Story

Chapter 7: Is It Worth It?

Austin

After dropping off Camila and having a weird confrontation with her older brother, I head home before Sarah would interrogate me about where I was. As soon as I walk through the door I'm approached by the woman I was hoping to avoid.

"Austin, where have you been?" She asks removing her studded earrings.

"Hanging out with friends," I reply simply. "My day was great. How was your day, Sarah?" I say sarcastically.

"Quit the attitude," she says. "Don't forget that I'm hosting a party for your father's co-workers and I expect you to be there to meet them."

"No problem, Sarah." I say heading into the kitchen.

I walk in to see Brenda washing the dishes, "Hola Austin, are you hungry?"

"Hi Brenda, no thank you I'm fine." I sit on the barstool. "Brenda, can I ask you something?"

She finishes up the last dish, "Of course, what is it?"

"Where are you originally from?" Knowing her for so long I've never asked her what part of the Latin place she is from.

"I'm from Cuba." She says with pride.

"Coming here, did you ever have to deal with people judging you because of where you're from?"

"When I came here I couldn't speak English to save my life but I eventually learn to. It's difficult at first but over time it comes naturally. Why do you ask?"

"Just this girl I like." I always consider Brenda as a second mom to me so its so much easier to talk about personal things with her than with Sarah.

"What's her name? Where is she from?"

"Her names Camila and she's Mexican but I don't know what part of it she from. She has an older brother who hates white people."

"Why?" She asks the question I wonder.

I shrug my shoulders, "I don't know it obviously has to do with some stupid rivalry that happened years ago."

"And it's affecting your relationship with Camila."

I nod, "Yeah, I want to get close to her, but everyone just keeps pulling us away from each other."

Brenda places her hand on my wrist, "Well I don't think you should give up on her if you're heart doesn't want to. I say listen to your Corazon, but be careful because if this whole violence is serious then you shouldn't push it to the edge."

"Thanks Brenda."

"Now you should get some sleep or else you'll get dark circles and you're too handsome to have those on your face."

I take her advice and head upstairs to bed. Hopefully tomorrow brings a better day.

Camila

I was lucky to survive a lecture from Carlos or my mom. I don't think Carlos told mom about Austin, but I don't think mom would've had time to listen to him due to her hectic schedule. Instead we hugged it out and I went to bed.

Maria and I are sitting outside for lunch. Since meeting Austin she's been a little quiet and distant. Sometimes she acts like a mother figure to me such as always looking out for me, asking where I've been, and advising me on what I should or shouldn't do in certain situations.

Ever since going to the bowling alley I haven't been able to stop myself from mentioning Austin, "...I think he has a really nice smile that goes well with his face considering the fact that I'm not all that attracted to white guys."

She rolls her eyes, "Ya basta. I can't take any more information about that white boy."

"He has a name." I say with strictness in my voice.

"Yeah, I know you've mentioned it a thousand times already. How much longer do expect to keep this up because sooner or later Carlos will find out that you're serious about the whit-Austin and he will kill you metaphorically and him literally."

"You think I don't know that?"

"Well obviously not since you're risking everything and keeping everything from your family."

"What can I say, Maria? There's something about him that's different than any other guy I've met and I don't want to lose that, not yet anyways."

Before she can answer me we're interrupted by Jorge, "Hey," he says to me then looks at Maria, "Hey Maria, do you mind if I talk to Camila for a minute?"

She gets up sighing, "Take all the time you need." Before I know it, Maria leaves and I'm left alone with Jorge.

"Camila, I'm getting worried about you."

I already know where this conversation's heading, "Jorge, you don't have to worry about me I can take care of myself."

"You're getting too close to this guy and you're going to get hurt again. This time I won't stand by and let history repeat itself."

I scoff, "We both know why you don't want him near," he looks at me quizzically, "Because you're scared. Scared that I might develop feelings for him," It didn't work out between us and he thinks that something might happen between Austin and me.

"I know you're trying to forget about what happened freshman year and move on with your life, but you can't forget what that gringo did. They all want the same thing because they're the same no matter what."

"I am not going to live my life avoid white people because of something that happened years ago." I pick up my bag, "And you're wrong, they're not all the same." I leave Jorge behind and walk off to my next class.

I know what this is doing to everyone but I just can't forget about this opportunity and I refuse to live in fear of the past. I'm older and the past is done with. I will go on making my own choices with or without support along with any consequence there may be in the future. Jorge is looking out for me like any other friend would and I understand that but there are something I need to do on my own without anyone nagging at me about the choices I make or are about to make.